BEDFORD ABBEY

An abbey of Benedictine monks was in existence by the year 971 in Bedford when Oscetel, archbishop of York, was buried there. The abbey ceased to exist some decades before the Norman Conquest, it possibly being destroyed in the Danish raid of 1010. The collegiate church of St Paul was established before 1066 and this in turn became a priory of Augustinian canons about 1165-6 until about 1180 when the priory was moved to Newnham. (see TL 04 NE 28). The secular college and abbey appear to have been centred on St Paul's Church, TQ04NW49.

An abbey of Benedictine monks was in existence by the year 971 when Oscetel, archbishop of York, was buried there. The abbey ceased to exist some decades before the Norman Conquest: VCH (2) suggests it was destroyed in the Danish raid of 1010. The collegiate church of St Paul was established about 1066 and this became a priory of Augustinian canons sbout 1165-6 until about 1180 when the priory was moved to Newnham. (see TL 04 NE 28). (1,2)